The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest (Nepali:सगरमाथाSagarmāthā). More than 250 peaks over 20,000ft (6,096m) above sea level are located in Nepal. The southern Terai region is fertile and humid.

Hinduism is practiced by about 81.3% of Nepalis, the highest percentage of any country. Buddhism is linked historically with Nepal and is practiced by 9% of its people, followed by Islam at 4.4%, Kiratism 3.1%, Christianity 1.4%, and animism 0.4%. A large portion of the population, especially in the hill region, may identify themselves as both Hindu and Buddhist, which can be attributed to the syncretic nature of both faiths in Nepal.

Nepal (surname)

'Nepal'(नेपाल) is a surname used by KhasBrahmin people of Nepal. They are the Aryans who have Persian ancestry. Nepal's are the family descendents of Rishi or sage Ghritakaushik which is also their Gotras. Nepal are said to be Kanyakubja Brahmin which fall under category Pancha-Gauda (worldwide classification) which means 'Northern Brahmin' and under Upadhyaya Brahmin in Nepalese classification of Brahmin.

Origin of Nepal as a surname

Before origin of surname Nepal, Nepals used to write their surname as Pandit or Upadhyaya. During the regime of 'Malla' King around 12th century in Khas Empire (present western Nepal) Pandit Jayabidyadhar was an advisor to the royal throne and administrator of Empire.
In Khas empire there was tradition of honoring the people who dedicated their life for welfare of nation by providing them ownership rights of certain regions of Empire. Also they used to be called by name of that region. This system was known as 'Birtabarichalan' or 'Birtapratha'
Following the tradition on 5th Magh, 1192 Bikram sambat (Nepalese Year) Malla king 'Akshay' Son of King 'Jitaridev' honored 2nd son of Bhagavan Bhaskar Pandit (Royal Priest) 'Jayabidyadhar Pandit' by providing him ownership of 3 different parts of empire named 'Nepa','Khaan', Barala (now lies in Western Nepal) as he dedicated his life for political and economic development empire and settling the trade dispute with Tibet. These 3 different regions were divided among sons of Jayabidyadhar Pandit where ownership of "Nepa" was granted to 1st son Sarwagyadhar Nepal. Nepa (name of region) was added to suffix aalaya (Nepa+aalaya) and then Nepal surname was introduced which was firstly used by 'Sarwagyadhar Nepal' and followed by his generations.